Britain's top brass have been told to “exploit” soldiers’ fears in a desperate bid to prevent troops leaving the Armed Forces .

A leaked document seen by the Sunday People reveals that officers should “exploit doubt and uncertainty” when interviewing soldiers who want to quit the forces.

The move has led to claims that the Army is now using “scare tactics” in an “outrageous” bid to retain troops.

The latest Army figures show that the Army has under 80,000 troops, the lowest level since Britain was at war with Napoleon in 1812.

And many senior officers believe that the Army is at risk of not being able to properly defend the country in a state of war, while last week Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon told of risks from rising Russian aggression.

The leaked document also says that officers should suggest that a civilian job will become boring and repetitive' with little opportunities for advancement.

It also adds that anyone thinking of leaving the military should be warned that a large number of soldiers do not get a job immediately.

One soldier said: “The Army is using scare tactics to prevent soldiers from leaving. They are trying to convince them that there are no suitable jobs on civvi street but the opposite is true. Just goes to show how desperate the Army is - it’s outrageous.”

Under the heading “Question”, the document tells officers to ask: “Do you have a job?”

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And under the heading “Helpful Notes” it adds: “Large percentage of soldiers do not get a job straightaway. Exploit doubt and uncertainty. Few men will have written job offers with promised salary scales.

Elsewhere the document adds “What is your pay likely to be (bound to be lower).”

The document was published on the Facebook site “Fill Your Boots” which is used by serving and former members of the service to air grievances.

The disclosure of the document has led to a furious wave of criticism by both serving and former members of the Army who described it as “patronisng and sanctimonious.”

Former squaddie Paul Cairns, said: “Signed off in 2004 as a lance Corporal. Now an airline captain earning more than the Colonel. The joke is on them.

Another former soldier Paul White added: “Pay bound to be lower? I’ve been out one year and I earn double what I did as a lance corporal. I don’t know anybody that’s left and is worse off financially.”

Morale in many units is said to be low while many soldiers now openly complain on social media that they are treated like children when in barracks.

Privately senior officers admit that five years of cuts, frozen salaries, a shortage of oversea postings have all added to the problem.

The end of British operations in Afghanistan has also had an impact on retentions and recruiting in the Army.

Charles Heyman, editor of Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and a former infantry officer, said: “There’s no doubt that not having Afghanistan does have an impact on recruiting. There’s a lot of opportunities in civilian life and there’s not really any fresh thinking about how to get people to serve in the Army.”